Command hooks

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by HappyCampers

Hi, just retired after 38 years with 3M, most recently in the division that makes VHB, and have lots of friends in the division that makes Command strips. My first advice is to always follow directions. Some of the products mentioned have different adhesives on each side, so be careful which side goes where. Surface prep is always important.

Another great option is to call 3M and ask to speak with 'Technical Service' in IATD ( Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Division) for VHB, or for Command someone in CHIMD (construction and home improvement division). You will get experts on each product line who can give you some great advice, and sometimes also free stuff.

My wife and I have used a lot of Command in our 5.0ta, and also some VHB to hold a handle onto our sliding screen door.

A word on vinyl. Vinyl is not just a plastic, but is most often a compounded mixture with PVC, plasticizers, stabilizers, etc. You are likely familiar with PVC piping used in your house and in your Escape, but that is the rigid variety. To get the soft, pliable vinyl on the interior of your Escape these additives must be included. These additives, though, can migrate out of the vinyl, and go right into the adhesive. Or, sometimes, if not strongly compatible with the adhesive, can right to the interface between the vinyl and the adhesive. I would strongly advise not using either VHB nor Command on a soft vinyl material. The 'oak' wallpaper inside the Escape could also be a vinyl film (I am not sure), but we have plenty of Command on that surface. George

I disagree. Vinyl is a plastic: https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/plastic

It would be helpful if you explained the release temperature of the Command series adhesives as a 3M expert. Many of my customers in the US Southern and Southwestern states find the devices that were attached with 3M Command series adhesives on the floor after storing their trailers in the sun, when the interior temperature exceeds 104F. Contrast that with the VHB tape properties (specifically the RP series) and that would help a lot of owners.

[skiman]

Originally Posted by HappyCampers

Hi, just retired after 38 years with 3M, most recently in the division that makes VHB, and have lots of friends in the division that makes Command strips. My first advice is to always follow directions. Some of the products mentioned have different adhesives on each side, so be careful which side goes where. Surface prep is always important.

Another great option is to call 3M and ask to speak with 'Technical Service' in IATD ( Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Division) for VHB, or for Command someone in CHIMD (construction and home improvement division). You will get experts on each product line who can give you some great advice, and sometimes also free stuff.

My wife and I have used a lot of Command in our 5.0ta, and also some VHB to hold a handle onto our sliding screen door.

A word on vinyl. Vinyl is not just a plastic, but is most often a compounded mixture with PVC, plasticizers, stabilizers, etc. You are likely familiar with PVC piping used in your house and in your Escape, but that is the rigid variety. To get the soft, pliable vinyl on the interior of your Escape these additives must be included. These additives, though, can migrate out of the vinyl, and go right into the adhesive. Or, sometimes, if not strongly compatible with the adhesive, can right to the interface between the vinyl and the adhesive. I would strongly advise not using either VHB nor Command on a soft vinyl material. The 'oak' wallpaper inside the Escape could also be a vinyl film (I am not sure), but we have plenty of Command on that surface. George

I am very interested in what you used for a screen handle specifically. I want a better handle for our screen but don't want to chance drilling through it. What kind if handle and what kind of vhb? Thanks.

[HappyCampers]

Hi Skiman,

I have attached one photo showing the handle we fastened on the outside of our screen door, with another one just like it on the inside. It is just an L shaped piece of aluminum. I searched my stash but could not find the VHB I used to bond it to the screen door. Let me say that I know it was a version that has one side designed to bond to bare metal and the other side designed for painted surfaces. I masked the door with tape and lightly abraded the painted surface with sandpaper before attaching. From the 3M website


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Need help finding the right product for your project? Contact us if you need product, technical or application advice or want to collaborate with a 3M technical specialist, or give us a call at 1-800-831-0658.

I know just enough about the VHB product line to be dangerous. I urge you to call 3M and you will get a 'subject matter expert' on VHB. Tell them what you are doing and they will give great advice. They may even send you the little strip that you need, otherwise will provide the right product number. The only issue we have is that using this handle one tends to torque the door inward or outward and the latch does not match up - we have learned to keep the door latch moving straight into the mating connection. This will work great and keep you from drilling holes. Feel free to improve upon my design.

Regarding the comment on PVC being or not being a plastic. Yes, it is plastic, but as I stated, the forms we see in our everyday life are not just PVC, but rather PVC compounded with many other additives, sometimes more additives than PVC. It is these additives that can create bonding issues, as often they are smaller molecules and can migrate into other substances, like adhesives.

[tractors1]

I made a handle of similar shape to the aluminum version above, but limited the protrusion to about 1/2 inch. The longer the protrusion, the easier it is to put torque to the screen door frame and cause it to bind/bend. Just the fingertips are needed, and adjusting the screen tension will allow it to move smoothly without binding.

Mine is mounted with 3M RP45, closed cell, exterior rated, and good to 200F. Been working fine for over 3 years.

Probably used at least 30 rolls (36 yards/roll) on my products over the last 10 years and have never had a customer complaint. My solar panel air deflectors have been good for 2 years.

[cpaharley2008]

As have your water deflector on the refer vent also....